If you want to know about the artist Diane Atkins, first you must know about the activist.  You can check out the following links, there is a lot more out there on this subject.  San Francisco Chronicle   Townsend letter   Times Herald Record (1 of 128)   Times Herald Record (2 of 128)
 
But this one is ironic.  I was contracted by a James West in NYC and I suggested he match maps of MTBE usage with his research on West Nile Virus: MTBE MAPS.
 
James then starting predicting outbreaks of WNV before they happened by comparing air quality, MTBE usage and he was very accurate.
 
That was before I went back to college, got my Environmental Science degree and landed a job as "Entomological Assistant to the research scientists studying West Nile Virus" in the Arthropod-Borne Disease Program, for the New York State Department of Health.  Interesting how life can lead you forward by your actions.  Of course, MTBE was banned in New York State in 2004 ... 2007 my field station lab was closed ... West Nile was no longer the threat it used to be.  I loved that job.  I was out in the swamps and other yucky places setting traps and bagging mosquitoes, identifying them and shipping them to Albany for testing.  I did a good job, too, because I put Sullivan County on the map for WNV, HJV and EEE.  It was good to be paid to be doing what I did with the MBTE which I used up all my money.
 
By the way, Atkins et. al. vs. Exxon Molile et. al. was dropped after many reversions because NY judges stripped everything out but "property damage".  It was supposed to be for health damages past and future.  Nobody got anything, the pro bono case cost the lawyers a lot of money and Ed Mazry is no longer alive.
 
Liberty is now the place where children grow up and the cases of brain tumors, MS, lymphomas, etc. continues to increase.  It's sad but one can only go so far before they have to work to pay the taxes AND THE WATER BILL.  I still get the headaches every once in awhile, and there is that smell in the water now and then, but, Liberty has forgotten MTBE and they do not want to hear anything negative about their water.  After all, just because I took down the "solution to air pollution that poisoned the water supply of America", have a degree in Environmental Science, got a research science job and an award of appreciation from the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, What makes me think I can question the Village Board?
 
I do it because I can!  And I will stand up when there are things wrong!  I am the daughter of two World War Veterans.  My father was a corporal and my mother a sergeant, and my brother a Viet Nam Vet.  My Mom and Dad were always "involved" - VFW and American Legion, I joined Rolling Thunder, a veterans support group.  New York Chapter 3, and I volunteer in a lot of interesting events, including being on the entertainment committee where we plan parties for the patients at Castle Point, the VA hospital.  When asked why I wanted to join, my reason was simple - the 4th Commandment - honor your Mother and Father - Dad died in 1992 and Mom is in a nursing home, so I am continuing what they did - supporting veterans.  I've been to Washington, DC on Memorial Day several times now and I must tell you that is when and where every heart beats as one.  It is the best place to go to refill my energy to defend what is important.  Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Then I come home and keep an eye open to defend Liberty in Liberty.
 
The garage mural [Shown above.] was a response to reading the Liberty Sign Law.  It was so restrictive as to what one could do on their personal property the mural actually broke the law, as written.  They are supposed to be rewriting it.  It is a citizens duty to make sure that our elected officials are doing the right thing! Village of Liberty NY org.
 
 

Before my life was interrupted by a neurological toxin, I was doing OK.   I was one of the founding mothers of the Calico Geese a unit of the Cooperative extension Homemakers group.  We were the first "specialty" group in the state.  We were all about quilting - teaching, sharing and educating about the great American Quilting Experience.  I was inducted into the Catskill Mountains Quilters' Hall of Fame in 1992.  I had won state and national awards and I had started my own quilt pattern business and I sold my Little Mouse patterns around the world.  It was going good until my husband and I started having neurological symptoms.  I lost my hand eye and brain coordination and couldn't draw, let alone paint and create.  Guess that is why I fought MTBE - I couldn't do anything else..

INVESTMENT  OPPORTUNITY

Desperate and Alone

Diane Atkins, nationally known for her successful efforts to ban gasoline additive MTBE, has to sell all her art and quilts in a last ditch effort to save her home from tax foreclosure.  With the stigmatism of "activist" her talent and abilities are ignored.  True artists have always been "the activists to change society".  It is their artistic vision that sees the flaws.
 
Inducted into the Catskill Mountains Quilters Hall of Fame at age 41 (1992), her prize-winning quilts alone are worth thousands.  Her art ranges from pen and ink to pastel, oil to watercolor, the personal collection is extensive.
 
Now 57, this investment will skyrocket in less than 20 years.
 
Documentation of the activist: web search "Diane Atkins Liberty".
 
Offer ends 9/30/08  -  On 10/1/08 Collection will be destroyed.
Please Call: (845) 292-8547  or  E-mail: artist@dianteus.com

Sampling of this Original Artwork Collection on her DOMAIN: www.dianteus.com

Some Local "News" and Information

Fremont Center's official website: Town of Fremont, Sullivan County, NY
Good idea to bookmark it to keep track of the town's Spring and Fall's Free Dumping Days and the like.

Not long before I left Jim, our Town Supervisor, asked the Hospital's HealthMobile to make stops in the township of Fremont.  They do Pap Tests, Stool Samples, and Mammograms onboard.  They also visit Callicoon, Hortonville, and Jeffersonville; you call the hospital for dates.

Another time/travel saving memo: The Department of Motor Vehicles opens satellite offices in different areas around the county (including the Delaware Town Hall, 104 Main Street, in HORTONVILLE) every month to allow people to conduct DMV business.  Dates vary.  Call for information: 845.887.5250.

DRIVING  WARNING: I understand that on Route 97, between the school and Hankins, the rain water gushes out unto roadway when the drains block up.  With all the falling leaves it is best to take extra care this time of year.

Andy still teaches courses for Sullivan County BOCES.  He is their instructor for: Hand Gun Saftey Classes,  Basic Photgraphy,  Digital Photography,  and Using and Understanding Photoshop.  Please contact BOCES directly for more information about taking a class or workshop.

A Website client, that offers something for you to do ...
Martial Arts Defense| Sullivan & Delaware Counties; New York
[ Read more about my website designing on page 2. ]

If you have a Sullivan County website, why not join Rita’s Webring:
The Sullivan County WebRing

Need website hosting?
Try Netmagi . com: Web hosting for real people -Simple, Reliable, and Affordable.

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ASTRA  VISION INC.
Satellite TV ~ Home Theater Sales ~ Service ~ Installations
Bill A. Snow, RR 1 Box 214-A, Equinunk, PA  18417

Some Local "People/Information Searches"

These were long ago searches, but I'm leaving them Online to
inspire others to seek out relatives and/or old friends in the area.

Ellen Reum searches for childhood friend, Margaret Werner.
Click here to read more.

I'm looking for information on the surnames Schad, Black & Kitz.  They are all related.  Lola Kitz, wife of Ira Black & dau. of Mary E.  Schad is buried in the Long Eddy Cem.  Her grandparents were John A. Schad & Susan A. Kline.  Don't have any info on the Black's or the Schad's.  Is there anyone who would be interested in looking to see if there is anyone still living who know of they people?...Bill Kitz, Okla. City, OK.
Bill's E-mail: NIGHTSHIFT97@prodigy.net

Washington man looking for Meyer Family "shoestring" relatives living here.
Click here to read more.

John Ben Urban’s gr-gr grandfather was a Methodist Episcopal Minster at Fremont Center from 1874-1875.  His name was Francis William Andrews.
John would like to know if anyone has photographs or painting of him from that era.
You can e-mail him at: jburban@lucent.com

Former personal notes to Western Sullivan County VOTERS

I  CAN'T  BELIEVE that ANYONE in the new school district ever HONESTLY  BELIEVED  that it would be more economical to use a double run bus system with trips as long as the ones students living in Long Eddy (way up in Delaware County) will have to make to Lake Huntington.  However, I was actually told directly that it would be more economical to do this BECAUSE if they don't run the buses TWICE (on winter roads that have been salted), they would JUST  RUST  INSIDE the garage!!!  But to actually vote to give people with this kind of logic the amount of money we did to do as they wish is a REAL  SCARY  THOUGHT!
 
Notice that things are NOT going exactly as we were promised they would with the school merger; we tried to warn you!  We particularly warned that the state budget never had the money set aside to give us to build a new school, much less run and maintain 4 different ones!  Yet we started building because voters were fed the roderick of a greedy illusion, that we will automatically be granted our share of state funds ... NO  SURPRISE  HERE ...  THE  STATE  FUNDS  DRIED  UP!
 
On this note, ever wondered WHAT  EVER  HAPPENED  TO  THE  PROMISES  MADE to the voters to use the NY lottery monies toward education?  NOTHING and apparently most VOTERS just ignored that the money was actually siphoned out into a preset slush fund and that our taxes rise while our schools deal with cutbacks!  As voters we should be ashamed of ourselves!  Every graduating class since has paid for this dereliction of duty; just as we do when we pay our outrageous school tax bills!
 
A REALISTIC LOOK at the Proposed Future Site of Our New Sullivan West School; was uploaded BEFORE building commenced.  Not convinced this is a mistake?  Then take a run over to Monticello and view the remains of the Apollo Mall - see what happens to buildings built on wet ground.  An old hotel's remains are buried on this site, building materials included lead paint as well materials now outlawed.  I certainly would NOT want to spend my school years being exposed to any of that!  Ask yourself why is this situation is being swept under the carpet and who will pay when it comes to light in a future lawsuit!

Awhile ago I understand that our legislators voted themselves a $5,000 raise, AND  THEY  EXPECTED  US  TO  BE  GRATEFUL  IT  WASN'T  $9,000.   (That much of a raise for a part time position in Sullivan County?!?!?!  Word is they are going for medical coverage next.)  PLEASE wake up and vote them out next election!